Norway travel guide
Continental Europe's largest ice cap is here. Ditto its highest and largest plateau. And the world's longest ice-free fjord, northern Europe's highest peak plus four of the world's highest waterfalls. You get the picture – or hundreds of them. Norway is a geo-blockbuster, laced with colourful myth (all those trolls...) The earth itself plays tricks here. Strange lights float magically around valleys that may just be remarkable 'natural batteries'. Wonderfully-named Fata Morganas muddle senses, turning sharp Nordic light into startling mirages over land and sea. The Northern Lights dancing above Arctic snowfields seem almost everyday...
Norway is landscape as epic drama: glacial highlands, gorgeous archipelagos, arctic tundra and stunning fjords cleaving 2,500km of coast.![]()
Norway's bestiary is equally unforgettable, thanks to its Arctic outpost, Spitsbergen: polar bears and walrus, snowy owls and king eider, 2m-wide king crab, Ice Age musk ox. Any Norway travel guide will make a place for human markers too – ancient Sami, bold Vikings, medieval merchants, hardy farmers and brave Arctic explorers. Norway is rich in every way.
Norway is...
... a unique wonderland that will linger long in your memory.
Norway isn't...
... just like all those other Scandi places, but with more money.
Our Norway Holidays
Lofoten Islands self guided cycling holiday, Norway
Lofoten, biking in unique and beatiful scenery
From
NKr14950
8 days
ex flights
Kamben cross country skiing in Norway
Beautifully situated on an undulating plateau in central Norway
From
£1499 to £1649
8 days
inc UK flights
Swim with Orcas in Fjords of Norway
6 night live-aboard tour in the stunning fjords 0f Norway
From
US $6300
6 days
ex flights
Norway wildlife holiday, walking safari
Camping wildlife holiday in the Norwegian wilderness
From
£400 to £720
7 days
ex flights
Self guided biking tour in Norway, Arctic Coast
Biking under the midnight sun from Tromsø to Svolvær
From
NKr14000
8 days
ex flights
Walking holiday in Norway, Rondane National Park
Self guided trekking in Rondane National Park
From
NKr10850
7 days
ex flights
Cross country skiing in Norway
Skiing in Norway's Telemark ski region
From
£1429 to £1729
8 days
inc UK flights
Lofoten Islands winter photography holiday, Norway
Unique Photography in Norway's beautiful Lofoten Islands
From
£2450
8 days
ex flights
Fjords self guided cycling holiday in Norway
Experience the amazing Fjords south of Bergen
From
NKr10750
7 days
ex flights
Venabu cross country skiing holiday in Norway
Independent cross-country skiing in dramatic landscape
From
£1419 to £1709
8 days
inc UK flights
Norwegian fjords hiking holiday
Trolltunga, Preikestolen and Kjerag hiking icons
From
NKr25000
6 days
ex flights
Norway self guided cycling holiday, Hardangerfjord
Spectacular view of the fjords, mountains and glaciers
From
NKr13350
7 days
ex flights
Scandinavia small group tour
Soak up a little Scandinavian minimalism
From
£4855 to £4940
21 days
ex flights
Lofoten Islands summer photography holiday, Norway
Midnight Sun Photography in Norway's lovely Lofoten Islands
From
£3150
9 days
ex flights
Swim with killer whales and humpback whales in Norway
Swim near magnificent whales under the Northern Lights
From
£5995
8 days
ex flights
Norway and Scottish Islands sailing holiday
Exploring the magnificent islands of Norway and Scotland
From
£1799
14 days
ex flights
Whale watching and Northern Lights sailing cruise in Norway
Far North. Far East. Whales and Northern lights.
From
NKr11900
5 days
ex flights
Peer Gynt ski touring holiday in Norway
Cross county skiing The Peer Gynt Trail - Lillehammer Norway
From
NKr12200
7 days
ex flights
Northern Lights tour, Sweden, Finland & Norway
Visit Sweden, Finland and Norway in a handcrafted itinerary
From
£3295
8 days
inc UK flights
Fjords walking holiday in Norway
Discover a world etched with beauty
From
£2749
8 days
inc UK flights
Lofoten Islands and Svalbard northern lights safari
Take in the Arctic beauty on this exhilarating adventure
From
£4995
8 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen polar bear watching cruise
Venture into the staggering realm of the King of the Arctic
From
£4149
11 days
ex flights
Scotland to Norway sailing holiday
Sailing expedition from Scotland to Arctic Norway
From
£2240
16 days
ex flights
Luxury Arctic cruise Spitsbergen & Franz Josef Land
A unique expedition to rarely visited Franz Josef Land
From
£7995
15 days
ex flights
Women only wildlife holiday in Norway
Woman only camping wildlife holiday in Norway
From
£720
7 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen activity holiday
Blue ice glacier walk, kayaking, hiking at Spitsbergen
From
NKr18990
5 days
ex flights
Short break hiking holiday in Fjord Norway
Hiking holiday in the beautiful region of Fjord Norway
From
NKr23500
6 days
ex flights
Norway photography tour, Sami culture
Unique chance to follow the Sami during their nomadic trek.
From
€3780
6 days
ex flights
Arctic cruise holidays
Explore the Arctic: Greenland, Spitsbergen and Iceland
From
US $5050 to US $37995
10 days
ex flights
Norway cross-country ski tour
7 Day Cross Country Ski Tour In Norway
From
NKr17900
7 days
ex flights
What we rate & what we don't
Underrated
Aquavit
Norway is the HQ of Nordic firewater, producing over 50 lip-smacking aquavits infused with earthy herbs and spices - many distilled to pair with specific foods like lobster or shrimp. With 500 years of history, it's a venerable spirit. One of the best is Linie, uniquely mellowed on slow voyages to Australia and back in gently sloshing shipboard casks.
Alesund
Bergen is better known but Norwegians often vote Alesund their most beautiful town, as well as one of the country's gourmet hotspots. Dropped twixt ocean, islands and Norway's best fjords, its USP is the world's finest concentration of ravishing Art Nouveau buildings, built after fire destroyed almost all of the old fishing town one night in 1904.
Winter festivals
On Spitsbergen locals brighten the long months of Arctic winter darkness with two unique music festivals: Polar Jazz (late Jan/early Feb) and Dark Season Blues (Oct). Sun Fest Week celebrates the island's end of winter darkness in early March. Back on the mainland in Tromso, meanwhile, February sees reindeer racing and lassoing hit the streets during Sami Week.
Ferries
We don't just mean the iconic Hurtigruten coastal service which for decades has provided year round transport along Norway's vast coastline. Far up lovely fjords, little workhorse boats are part of Norway's soul, hinterland links offering wonderful vistas and cheery ambience - and which save hikers and bikers huge distances going around the water by leisurely chugging across it.
Rated
Fjords
The fjords have won galactic acclaim – well, if you believe their reputed designer Slartibartfast in The Hitchhikers’ Guide To The Galaxy! UNESCO pick out Geirangerfjord and Naeroyfjord, but other gems include Lofoten's Trollfjord and Vestfjorden, the multi-spur Hardangerfjord, Spitsbergen's majestic Magdalenefjord, and Lysefjord - site of the famous Pulpit Rock viewpoint.
Lofoten Islands
This northern archipelago drops red clapboard fishing hamlets amid blue ocean and sharp peaks, the air a pure salty distillation of coastal bliss. With bridges linking main islands, tourism vies with cod as savvy hikers and cyclists follow artists who long came for the dazzling Arctic light. Viking heritage is gloriously recalled by the Lofotr Museum on Vestvagoy.
Stave churches
These unique Norwegian houses of worship pay homage to Viking woodworking mastery as Christianity displaced Norse gods. An incredible 2,000 or so stave churches were built between 1150 and 1350, adorned with intertwined animal figures nodding slyly to old beliefs. Today, only 28 remain – the most famous, Urnes by Lustrafjord, Heddal at Notodden, and Borgund near Flam.
Spitsbergen
Most go in summer to an island where polar bears considerably outnumber people, Arctic foxes chase guillemots, and giant walrus roar by stunning fjords. Old mines and atmospheric research stations offer human markers amid glaciers, ice plains and sharp mountains. In the months of Arctic night, scout for aurora - or enjoy cosy bars, little museums and cracking music festivals!
Overrated
Whale meat
Norway continues to defy global opinion over commercial whaling, killing 1000-2000 whales a year for meat – much of it aimed at curious tourists in search of novel dining. Whalers cite tradition and also claim their prime target – minke whale – is abundant. We disagree. If you want to eat something distinctly Norwegian try elk/moose.
Troll merchandise
Norway's trolls boast long history and a distinctive mythology. But the plastic gaudy troll dolls hawked in way too many shops are more ugly than the slimiest Nokken or any of their multi-headed cousins. One leading troll doll producer boasts their wares are unbreakable. We think that's a challenge worth taking up...
Black Metal
Norway is big on black gold (oil) - and black metal too. For those not au fait with modern sonic genres, this is a kind of music characterised by shrieked vocals delivered by corpse-painted guys playing fast distorted guitar. Personal taste aside, the scene has also been linked to racism, arson and murder. Nice.
Fjord cruisers
Cruise ships are a common sight in Norway's most high profile fjords. But when a liner turns up, tiny settlements like Geiranger can be ruined by crowds and noise. As for pollution, we just hope ships obey Norway's strict rules banning discharge of sewage and grey water close to land, plus cleanliness regulations for ballast.
Our top Norway Holiday
Lofoten Islands self guided cycling holiday, Norway
Lofoten, biking in unique and beatiful scenery
From
NKr14950
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2020: 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 4 Sep
2020: 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 4 Sep
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Norway or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Food, shopping & people
Eating & drinking in Norway
Much of the salt cod devoured in Iberia, South America and the Caribbean is caught and salted in Norway.Reindeer is a classic Nordic meat, either roasted (reinsdyrstek) or in a hearty Sami stew (bidos). You may also wish to try elk/moose (elg).
Grilled or smoked Norwegian salmon (laks) is not only delicious but relatively cheap too!
Amber-coloured cloudberries (molteboer) are delicious in sauces or jam.
In 1934, a huge landslip into Korsnaesfjord created a 65m tidal wave that claimed 40 lives in local villages.
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People & language
Most Norwegians speak English, from very useful standard to excellent. Basic Norwegian, however, includes God dag(hello), Ja (yes), Nei (no), takk (thanks) and Vaer sa snill ('veyr saw snil') for please.
Written Norwegian comes in two (similar) forms: Bokmal (literally, 'book language' – the main city choice) and Nynorsk ('new Norwegian' – commoner in rural spots).
Friluftsliv is a concept dear to Norwegian hearts – literally 'free air life', an appreciation of how simply being out in natural clean air is good for the soul.
Written Norwegian comes in two (similar) forms: Bokmal (literally, 'book language' – the main city choice) and Nynorsk ('new Norwegian' – commoner in rural spots).
Friluftsliv is a concept dear to Norwegian hearts – literally 'free air life', an appreciation of how simply being out in natural clean air is good for the soul.
Gifts & shopping
Linie aquavit is a memorable taste of Norway, uniquely mellowed by a long sea voyage in casks to Australia and back!Traditionally-made wool jumpers will keep you snug – though top makes don't come cheap.
Little marzipan pigs are a quirky Norwegian Christmas sweet treat.
Since the 18th century, Norwegian rural crafts folk have painted colourful Rosemaling designs onto wooden objects – a flowing mix of stylised floral motifs with geometric elements and nods to architecture and landscape to brighten up any mantelpiece.
While most Nobel prizes are awarded annually in Sweden, the Peace Prize is administered by Norway and presented in Oslo.
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How much does it cost?
Meal for two, three courses, mid-range restaurant (without alcohol): £75
Half-litre (around a pint) of beer: £7
Cup of coffee: £3
Minipris cut-price advance intercity train ticket to almost anywhere in Norway: £23
Half-litre (around a pint) of beer: £7
Cup of coffee: £3
Minipris cut-price advance intercity train ticket to almost anywhere in Norway: £23
A brief history of Norway
Once Norway led the way in Europe courtesy of Viking might. Today, oil wealth does the trick, as North Sea black gold has filled its national coffers since the late 1960s. With Nordic good sense, successive governments developed Norway's infrastructure, paid off the national debt, then spent the past two decades building up the world's largest sovereign wealth fund to ensure the well-being of Norwegians long into the future. Admirably, the fund only invests outside Norway (to avoid stoking inflation at home), and invests within strict environmental and human rights guidelines.Read more
More about Norway
The best time to go to Norway can depend on whether you’re visiting Bergen, Tromso or Spitsbergen which is why our handy temperature & rainfall chart features all three destinations and our month by month guide is just as useful as our cultural pick from the Norway calendar.
From Kirkenes, Svalbard and the Lofoten Islands in the north to Telemark, Stavanger and Jotunheiman National Park in the south, if you’re looking for places to visit in Norway then always make our interactive map page your first port of call.
Things to do in Norway will usually start and finish with the fjords however, if you want to know where to cycle, trek and watch walrus, elk and puffins then read on for our suggestions for top activities in Norway.
Norway’s coastline has been designed with natural beauty in mind with deep fjords and remote islands transforming ferry rides into some of the most scenic voyages in Europe.
If you've always wanted to witness the humbling sight of humpback and killer whales in the wild then Norway, in the fjords to the north of Tromso, is one of the best places in the world to do just that.
Watching the Northern Lights in Norway will have you wide eyed with wonder and if you want to know where, when and how to watch the world’s most spectacular natural light display, right here is where your adventure begins.
If you’re visiting Norway then it’s really important to learn a bit more about the Sami communities in Norway which represent the relationship between Scandinavia’s indigenous people and the natural world.
Walking in Norway lets you feel the rocks as they steadily rise to 600m; you can hike through fells and fjords and spend nights in mountain lodges; and you can tuck into traditional Norwegian cuisine, like gravlaks, salmon or lingonberry-covered reindeer, safe in the knowledge that by George you deserve it!
Find out what Responsible Travel recommend for travelling in Norway with kids as from troll hunting and Viking heritage to snow shoeing and dog sledding we’ve asked our experts so you can discover what to do with little ones before you head to Norway.
Our Norway travel advice comes directly from our friends and travellers in Norway which is why anyone who wants to travel safely in Norway should read on for some really top tips on what to do, where to go and how to stay safe and healthy.
Do a little research into responsible tourism in Norway and you’ll soon find that whaling and the rights of indigenous Sami people are still high on the agenda when it comes to understanding how to travel right in Norway.
From Spitsbergen to seeing the Northern Lights, find all our Norway related guides in one place.
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